Ruby Birkholt

April 03, 2007

Selby - Ruby Birkholt, 70, of Selby died Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at St. John Lutheran Church in Selby, with Pastor Dale Hamre officiating. Family and casketbearers are to meet at the church 10 a.m. Friday. Organist will be Peggy Gereau. Soloists will be Barb Birkholt and Janice Schnaible. Ushers will be Harley Brockel and Austin Simons. Readers will be Frank Birkholt and Barb Goehring. There will be a prayer service 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Miller Funeral Chapel in Selby, with visitation beginning 5 p.m. Ruby Mae Schnaible, daughter of Lydia (Haux) and Berthold "Snip" Schnaible, was born July 27, 1936, at Java. She was raised and educated in Java, graduating with the JHS Class of 1954. In school, she was active in band, chorus, girls glee club, cheerleader, debate, was a class officer, class valedictorian, homecoming queen candidate, was active in class plays, student teaching, and girls' basketball. During the summer months, she worked at the Java Movie Theatre. She married Charles W. Birkholt at Java on June 26, 1955. She was employed by the First National Bank of Mobridge from Oct. 1, 1954, to Aug. 13, 1956. She then took a position at First National Bank of Selby (currently BankWest), retiring from there Oct. 1, 1995, as assistant vice president in charge of operations. She loved working with the people, giving a helping hand and advice. She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, which she served as confirmation and Sunday school teacher, auditor and WELCA treasurer. She also served on the Selby Good Samaritan Center Board for many years, had been a member of the Selby Jaycettes, and was a Cancer Crusader. She loved writing poetry and creative writing, canning from her garden, baking, crossword puzzles, catching more fish than Chuck, and going with Chuck to his meetings. Ruby is survived by her husband of 51 years, Chuck; three brothers: Roger (Janice) Schnaible of Moville, Iowa, Raymond Schnaible of Prescott, Wis., and Robert (Judy) Schnaible of Blaine, Minn.; and many beloved godchildren, nieces, nephews, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her father on May 13, 2003; her mother on Sept. 25, 1990; and an infant daughter (Lisa) on April 3, 1965. Casketbearers will be Scott Simons, Oliver LaFave, Keith Lemburg, and Roger Thorstenson of Selby, Doug Erhart of Mandan, N.D., Tom Goehring of Mina, Montrell Koonce of Abingdon, Md., and Marty Birkholt of Elkhorn, Neb. To leave an online condolence or to view Ruby's video tribute, go online to www.millerlienfh.com. Miller Funeral Home in Bowdle is in charge of arrangements.